Atanaria
Following up their 2023 effort Nü Moon, R&B duo THEY. (Dante Jones and Drew Love) return with LOVE.JONES, a tight and intimate body of work that plays like a love letter to 90s R&B, filtered through a modern lens. If Nü Moon flirted with nostalgia, LOVE.JONES leans all the way into it, fusing rich samples, live instrumentation, and smooth crooning into a soulful soundtrack for late-night drives and quiet storm radio.
The project is notably lean—just a handful of tracks, with many fans left craving more. While the album’s brevity keeps things focused, it also feels like a missed opportunity to fully dive into the Love Jones-inspired narrative. The concept is there—an homage to Black love, Black art, and neo-soul aesthetics—but it’s not explored as deeply or extensively as it could have been.
Still, when the album hits, it hits. Lead single “Straight Up” is a clear standout. It’s got the sample of the project—infectious, simple, and effective—and the production is immaculate. It sets the tone for the record with authority. “Gemini” follows up beautifully with a haunting guitar intro and a head-turning “Maria Maria” sample that’s arguably the most exciting moment on the album. Unfortunately, that sample-heavy section is short-lived, leaving us wondering what could’ve been if they had pushed it further.
Another gem is “💎 & Pearls,” which carries an “Avant” feel—lush, sultry, and moody, built over one of the most captivating beats on the album. Like “Straight Up,” it shows THEY. in full command of their sonic identity, balancing nostalgia with sleek, current-day polish.
Other highlights include “Rotation” and “Choosin’,” both of which maintain the smooth energy and polished vibe the duo is known for. And while none of the deeper cuts quite eclipse the singles, the cohesion of the album as a whole still delivers.
More than anything, LOVE.JONES feels like a reset—a return to form for THEY. after experimenting with bigger features and broader production on past projects. Here, it’s just Drew and Dante, locked in, paying homage to the sounds that raised them and the love stories that shaped them. The album’s only real flaw is its restraint; there’s a sense that this could’ve gone further, deeper, and richer. But even in its brevity, it’s a potent offering.
Best Tracks:
- Straight Up
- Gemini
- 💎 & Pearls
- Rotation
- Choosin’
LOVE.JONES isn’t a grand statement—it’s a vibe. And sometimes, that’s more than enough. Here’s hoping THEY. builds on this energy for another release later this year, one that pushes even further into the love, the soul, and the sound they’ve always done best.
